Elvis Costello - Jack Of All Parades lyrics

When we first met I didn't know what to do

My old love lines were all worn out on you

And the world walked round at my mouth

They lit me up and they snuffed me out

[chorus]

And I was everybody's boy

But soon that thrill just fades

To be the love of one true heart

Or the Jack of all parades

You won't know who to thank

You won't know who to blame

It's just a part of the Murdering Game

'Cos down in the fleshpots

Where they pay you in pounds

They're laughing like drains

And baying like bloodhounds

For the Jack of all parades

The Jack of all parades

Once I knew a girl

That looked so much like Judy Garland

That people would stop and give her money

And everybody was Frankie, Jimmy or Bobby

Not the Jack, the Jack of all Parades,

Oh the Jack, the Jack of all Parades,

Oh the Jack, of all Parades.

Now the way that I feel is no longer news

You know my love and how to refuse it

Cause you know where the door is

And how to use it

Oh you know you do

But from my chequered past

To this shattered terrace

Where you can't keep your mind off

the Crimes of Paris

And you can't keep your peace

And try to forget it

And I can't forgive you

For things you haven't done yet

Oh I was anybody's boy

But soon that thrill just fades

To be the love of one true heart

Or the Jack of all parades

When we first met I didn't know what to do

My old love lines were all worn out on you

And the world walked 'round my mouth

I didn't mean to say it

I just blurted it out

As you pretended not to notice

Or be taken aback

And I loved you there and then

It's as simple as that

Oh I was everybody's boy

But soon that thrill just fades

To be the love of one true heart

Or the Jack of all parades

To be the love of one true heart

Or the Jack of all parades

Oh the Jack of all parades